Lots of wine shops come and go from the bottom of this list every year, but the top three always seem to be the same. New to the list this year is CorksCru on NW Broadway. The percentage spread between the top three is tightening, and they are all firmly entrenched at the head of the list. 2012: Cork Wine Shop, … [Read more...] about Reader Survey 2013: Best Wine Shop in Portland
News Stories Relating to Alcoholic Beverages
This covers all of our posts about alcohol: wine, beer, cider and spirits. You'll find all sorts of interesting stories here, new businesses, classes and more.
The Movie “Somm”, Raises the Curtain on the Master Sommelier Exam
You may not have heard of the organization, but in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers was established to provide a worldwide certification of in the art, science and history that is required to become a sommelier. The exam is brutal. Over the past forty years, only 211 candidates worldwide have earned the Master … [Read more...] about The Movie “Somm”, Raises the Curtain on the Master Sommelier Exam
Big Changes are Afoot for the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival
The annual Oregon Brewers Festival is opening a day earlier this year. Starting next Wednesday, the 24th there will be a full five days of drinking on the waterfront. No more plastic cups. For $7, you will now be buying a 12.8 oz. glass (down from 14 oz. last year), which can be filled for four tokens. The one … [Read more...] about Big Changes are Afoot for the 2013 Oregon Brewers Festival
Do Large Ice Cubes in Cocktails Melt More Slowly? Is Ice Bad for Scotch?
This week SeriousEats.com plunged into Cocktail Science with "5 Myths About Ice, Debunked" by new writer Kevin Liu of Science Fare. For those who have spent time staring at a cocktail wondering whether those large ice cubes make a difference, this article is for you. It talks about what makes ice cloudy and how to make … [Read more...] about Do Large Ice Cubes in Cocktails Melt More Slowly? Is Ice Bad for Scotch?
Two Events Benefit Dogs and More!
As a dog lover, a couple of events coming up this summer have caught my eye. The first is the "Canines Uncorked" License to Taste Passport and Wine Tour, which benefits the Oregon Humane Society. The event features complimentary wine tastings and activities for dog owners and their pets at more than a dozen … [Read more...] about Two Events Benefit Dogs and More!
I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
By Ken Collura As a professional wine buyer and an active consumer, I'm inundated with ratings. Each major wine publication has seemingly hundreds of them each month. If that wasn't enough, they're encountered in big, bold numerals everywhere wines are sold. You'll see them in newspaper ads, on shelf-talkers, and … [Read more...] about I’m Rated Out! Do Wine Ratings Mean Anything?
Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty
Penne all’Arrabbiata This great wine piece by Darryl Joannides includes a recipe for Penne all'Arrabbiata It was late January 1997 and a particularly dark, wet and dreary winter’s day. We were on the back end of a 3 week trip driving all over the Italian peninsula, and beginning to get that type of weary that sets … [Read more...] about Wine Musings: Meeting Royalty
All About Wine and Food Pairings
Another popular article from the past, by Ken Collura Have you ever tried Coca-Cola with a steak? Or coffee? How about a margarita? Each of these beverages can be seen accompanying steaks around town on a nightly basis. I know that everyone has different taste buds, but the thought of something sweet and … [Read more...] about All About Wine and Food Pairings